A review by fandom4ever
Cloak of Deception by James Luceno

adventurous informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Cloak of Deception is a book of political intrigue that sets the stage for Episode I: The Phantom Menace. If you ever felt that Episode I starts out in the middle of events and wondered how things got to that stage then this is the book that answers those questions. In here we see as Senator Palpatine manipulates Supreme Chancellor Valorum and others, while as Lord Sidious he begins to set the stage for the Trade Federation’s blockade of Naboo. 

This book not only shows Nute Gunray’s first contact with a certain Sith Lord, but also shows his meeting with Baktoid Armor and Haor Chall Engineering in the creation of the Federation’s secret army. It also explains how Nute Gunray becomes head of the Trade Federation. 

We get to see more of the Jedi and goings-on in the Temple, like the fact that there are other Councils besides the Jedi High Council. Here is the Council of Reconciliation, which has a rotating five members that work with the political factions throughout the Republic. It is amidst most of these meetings that we get more instances of how Qui-Gon clashes with the other Jedi in his need to act and put things right rather than just sitting back and watching events unfold. Further adding to how the Jedi fall from their station later on. 

In regards to the Senate, it is ever so clear of Coruscant’s and the Core’s disregard for alien species and any beings from the Rim worlds, hence why they’re so willing to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear when the CIS appears and begins taking over their worlds. 

Throughout I felt awful for Chancellor Valorum especially with what happens at the end. Here was a man who saw the failing state of the Republic and was desperately trying to do the right thing, while the man he trusted as a friend (Palpatine), worked behind his back not only plotting his downfall but actively trying to ruin his reputation. It shows how well Palpatine was able to play the game of politics, making others believe he was their savior while he only thought of his own rise to power. 

This book is a solid entry into the Star Wars saga and I would definitely recommend it as the prequel to Episode I.